10 Early Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurological condition affecting millions of people globally. As per the World Health Organization, Alzheimer’s disease contributes to 60-70% of dementia cases globally. Early detection is crucial as it allows for better management and planning. Recognizing the early signs of Alzheimer’s can help individuals seek timely medical advice and potentially slow the progression of the disease. This article discusses ten early symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. But first, let’s understand what Alzheimer’s disease is.
What is Alzheimer’s disease?
Alzheimer’s is a progressive brain disease marked by the gradual decline of cognitive functions, including memory, reasoning, and language skills. While it predominantly affects older adults, it can also occur in younger individuals in rare instances.
The exact cause of Alzheimer’s is not entirely known, but it is thought to result from a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. In Alzheimer’s, abnormal protein deposits known as amyloid plaques and tau tangles collect in the brain, disrupting neural communication and leading to cell death.
10 Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease
Here are 10 early signs of Alzheimer’s disease.
- Memory Loss Interfering With Daily Activities
According to the National Institute of Aging, memory loss is one of the most common early signs of this disease, especially forgetting recently learned information. Individuals may frequently forget important dates or events, ask the same questions repeatedly, or rely more on memory aids such as electronic reminders or notes. This can significantly disrupt daily activities and responsibilities.
- Challenges in Planning or Solving Problems
Individuals with Alzheimer’s may experience difficulty in developing and following a plan or working with numbers. They may struggle to follow familiar recipes or keep track of monthly bills. This symptom reflects changes in their ability to work with abstract concepts and perform complex tasks.
- Difficulty Completing Familiar Tasks
A person with Alzheimer’s might find it hard to complete daily tasks they have done for years. This can include difficulty driving to familiar places, recalling the rules of a favourite game, or managing a budget at work.
- Difficulty with Understanding Visual Images and Spatial Relationships
The Alzheimer’s Association notes that vision problems are a sign of Alzheimer’s for some people. These might include difficulty reading, judging distance, and determining colour or contrast. They may pass by a mirror and think someone else is in the room, or they might trip over objects because they cannot judge distances accurately.
- Confusion with Time or Place
Another common symptom of Alzheimer’s disease is losing track of dates, days, seasons, and the passage of time. Individuals may forget where they are or how they got there. They might also become disoriented quickly, even in familiar settings.
- Difficulties with Language in Speaking and Writing
Individuals with Alzheimer’s disease often have difficulty maintaining conversations. They might pause unexpectedly during a dialogue, unsure how to proceed, or repeat what they have already said. Vocabulary difficulties are also common; they might forget the names of familiar objects or use incorrect terms.
- Misplacing Items and Difficulty Retracing Steps
One common symptom of Alzheimer’s disease is placing items in odd or inappropriate locations. Individuals may struggle to remember where they put things and find it hard to backtrack and find them. Over time, they might increasingly suspect others of taking their misplaced belongings.
- Decreased or Poor Judgment
Changes in judgment or decision-making are common in Alzheimer’s. For example, individuals might exercise poor financial judgment, such as giving large sums to telemarketers or buying unnecessary items. They may also pay less attention to grooming or keeping themselves clean.
- Changes in Mood and Personality
According to the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, individuals with Alzheimer’s may experience changes in mood and personality. They might feel confused, depressed, suspicious, fearful, or anxious. They may also become easily upset at home, at work, with friends, or when they are out of their comfort zone.
- Withdrawal from Work or Social Activities
A person with Alzheimer’s might start withdrawing from hobbies, social activities, or other engagements. They may have trouble remembering how to complete a project or keeping up with a favourite sports team. This withdrawal is often a response to the changes they are experiencing.
Recognising the early signs of Alzheimer’s is important for seeking timely medical intervention and the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. Healthcare providers may also recommend tests to assess the risk of developing Alzheimer’s.
One such test is Apo E genotyping, a genetic test that identifies individuals at increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and cardiovascular disease (CVD). If anyone experiences Alzheimer’s-related symptoms, they should consult their doctor and schedule an Alzheimer’s test with Dr Lal PathLabs.
FAQs
1. What is commonly the first symptom of Alzheimer’s?
The first sign of Alzheimer’s is often memory loss that disrupts daily life, like forgetting recently learned information.
2. What age does Alzheimer’s usually begin?
Alzheimer’s disease typically affects individuals over 65, though a small number of cases, known as “early-onset” Alzheimer’s, can start in the 30s or 40s.
